OTTAWA — About 150 Canadian soldiers will be heading to Afghanistan over the next 10 days to help in the planning of Canada's contribution to an international stabilization force in Kabul, Defence Minister John McCallum said Friday.

The group will be made up of soldiers from the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Group based in Kingston, Ont., and a defence and security platoon based in Gagetown, N.B.

A Gagetown contingent of 37 soldiers is leaving Friday and will be among the first Canadian soldiers to join the mission. The remaining soldiers will leave for Kabul, Afghanistan between May 23 and June 1.

The Gagetown group is providing security for other Canadian personnel, who are preparing for the arrival of the main contingent of Canadian soldiers in August.

"The Theatre Activation Team will establish the necessary in-theatre support infrastructure for Operation Athena," McCallum said in a statement.

Operation Athena is Canada's contribution to the mission in Afghanistan. The troops will help maintain order in the country following the U.S.-led war against the Taliban leadership in 2001.

The bulk of the 1,800-person force will be comprised of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment out of CFB Petawawa, Ont.

McCallum said recently that Canada has formally offered to take over leadership of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during the Canadian contingent's second six-month rotation beginning next February.

Canada has committed to deploying a battle group, a brigade group headquarters and some additional equipment and personnel to Kabul by late summer, the press release stated.

Vehicles and equipment to be used by the Canadian contingent are expected to reach Turkey in late June. The equipment will then be flown directly to Afghanistan.

About 5,000 troops from 29 countries are taking part in the international force, which is currently being led by Germany and the Netherlands.